Decision on reopening of ports soon

By next week Barbadians should know if or when the island’s air and seaports will be opened for business.

During a televised national address tonight Prime Minister Mia Mottley revealed that a final decision on when the Grantley Adams International Airport (GAIA) and the Bridgetown Port – the island’s two main points of entry – would be made following discussions with the Social Partnership.

Yesterday while speaking at the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association’s (BHTA) Annual General Meeting, chief executive officer Senator Rudy Grant reported that Barbados was looking to reopen for passenger business as early as next month.

While the GAIA is expected to accept commercial flights from CARICOM at the end of the month, Grant said American Airlines, JetBlue and Air Canada were expected to resume service in July.

Mottley said Barbados would face challenges whether it opened its borders or not.

“Next Monday we will be meeting as a Government with the wider Social Partnership to discuss the sensitive issues of border closures, or if it is the will of the majority, border reopening.

“The reality is that much is happening around us, but we know oh so well in Barbados that both scenarios are plagued with danger and a measure of risk. In many respects we die if we don’t and we also die if we do,” the Prime Minister said.

However, Mottley said following the consultation she was prepared to make tough decisions in the interest of the country.

“Leadership is a lonely place and leadership is about leading and I intend after the widest possible consultations next week to lead decisively on this matter, for what is at stake is not just lives and livelihoods, but indeed the Barbadian way that reflects consultation,” she contended.

“That is how we have done it from day one, that is how we will do it. But I assure you that after consultation the Government reserves the right to decide and to act.”